Player Arsenal want to sign has just taken No.10 shirt at his club as exit now seems unlikely - opinion

Arsenal now seem to have little chance of signing a player Mikel Arteta is believed to be a huge admirer of.

Edu Gaspar – Director of Football at the Emirates Stadium – has already bolstered the Spaniard’s squad with the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, although the Italy international is the only new face to arrive.

Mikel Arteta was keen to bring one of UEFA Euro 2024’s best performers to Arsenal in Nico Williams – although he now seems highly unlikely to move clubs after making an interesting decision…

Arsenal target Nico Williams takes No.10 shirt as Athletic Bilbao stay seems certain

A story from The Athletic recently claimed that Arteta wants to sign Williams more than any other forward in Europe this summer.

The Spaniard put his name up in lights at UEFA Euro 2024 this summer, scoring against England in the final as Spain lifted the trophy in Berlin after a 2-1 win over the Three Lions.

Now – however – Williams has decided to take the No.10 shirt from Iker Muniain, after the Athletic Bilbao legend announced his departure at the end of last season.

That may seem like an innocuous development for some, although we doubt the Spain international would choose to take such an iconic squad number if he intended to leave the Basque Country this summer.

It very much suggests that Williams intends to stay in Bilbao for at least one more season, so Arteta should turn his attentions elsewhere with just over two weeks of the transfer window remaining.

Wing targets are disappearing for Mikel Arteta

It really does remain to be seen which forward Arsenal sign this summer, if any.

The Athletic are one of the most reliable sources around, so there are clearly plans to add competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in the wide attacking areas at Arsenal.

However, one alternative for Williams has just become unavailable for Arteta.

A story from Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal held an interest in signing Pedro Neto this summer, although the Portugal international has now sealed a £54m move to Chelsea instead.

READ MORE: “Outstanding” Arsenal player has almost completed a shock move to Italy

Therefore, it really is a mystery as to who Arsenal will sign to bolster the flanks this summer, as Williams and Neto seemed like the main candidates, judging by reports.